A Fistful of Style

Everyone loves this tie.

So I make sure not to wear it too much.

But I can never stop myself from matching it to my socks.

I think I have a #menswear problem…

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Thrifted:

Jordan Marsh “A Fitted Shirt” OCBD

“Private Club” Knit Tie

CK Denim Jacket - Gifted

Vtg. Pinstripe Waistcoat (part of a suit) - Inherited

Vtg. Howard & Foster Wholecuts (I should write some more about these, they’re truly great truly vintage shoes in stunning condition)

Lets see if anyone like this.

Got that tie yesterday with my leather jacket, unfortunately after a day of wear, the zipper stopped working… I was glad I bought it at goodwill (and that I have access to a pricing gun to reattach the tag), but I’m always sad to have to return something.

Such are the travails of a seasoned thrifter.

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Thrifted:

“Spearat-Lee’s” Corduroy Sport Coat - $4

J Crew Cotton Cashmere Sweater - $7

Jordan Marsh “A Fitted Shirt” OCBD - $2.50

Penguin Japanese Selvage Denim - $5

Vintage Longwings - $12

Turquoise Scarf - $2

Pocket Square - $1

Hat - Gift

Deep Freeze Florals.

When it gets to be this cold you need to stay positive. So I’m rocking a floral on floral combo to remind myself that it won’t be this cold forever. (shit, it’s already up to a balmy 11 degrees today!)

Same deconstructed 3-piece look that I’ve been rocking for a while now. It makes a great base because it’s all neutrals, so it sits well with both other hearty neutrals (like a wool olive tie) but also with powerful contasts (like a silk purple/teal floral tie/pocket square).

Throw a duffle coat over the whole mess for warmth, and a turquoise scarf to reference the colors you’re covering up and you’re good to go…

…Straight to your heated car, because it is COLD AS BALLS out there.

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Thrifted:

Vintage Tan Duffel Coat by Lodenfrey - Free

Stanley Blacker for Homicks Navy Blazer - $4

Tweed Waistcoat - Free

Jordan Marsh “A Fitted Shirt” OCBD - $2.50

Liberty of London Floral Tie - $1

Floral Pocket Square (Lady’s Scarf) - $1

Banana Republic Moleskin Trousers - $9 (previously shown as $11, my bad…)

Eastland Ranger Mocs - Free (Thrift Gift from Ashley, $15 to her)

Turquoise Glen Plaid/Houndstooth Reversible Scarf - $2

View Separately

So I’m finally realizing it’s probably better to take pictures and then upload them when I have time to actually… you know… write something about it.

So without further ado, WIW(Last Saturday).

Because I have a Liberal Arts degree (and am a wicked hipster) I love the idea of deconstruction. To whit, this is a look with summer colors, rendered in fall fabrics. It was 60 and sunny on Saturday, so why not? It’s still fall, no need to break out the linen, but on a beautiful day a nice turqouise wool tie and floral pocket square make for a nice offbeat way to enjoy the sunshine. It stands in stark contrast to the leafless trees and concrete of Portland in the late Autumn.

Also of note, the deconstructed 3-piece. As I’ve mentioned before, suits are just too formal for me to wear on a regular basis. I just don’t have a lifestyle that calls for suiting in my day to day. But I still love the idea of a 3 piece suit, so I like to do things like denim, corduroy vest and tweed jacket. Or flannels, tweed vest and hopsack blazer. Take the elements of the 3 piece suit that I like, and deconstruct them. Then render them in more casual form. Makes for a nice break from straight jacket and tie/denim and shirt type casual wear.

That night I swapped out the cord vest for a navy worsted vest, brown bucks for black captoes and dad jeans for uncuffed-straight leg dark denim. A bit sleeker, still informal and still a good basis for the turquoise. Another advantage of a “deconstructed” outfit is that it is component parts, so you can mix and match relatively easily.